Waller Mill Reservoir Paddle 5/6/14

A rainy Monday is not necessarily followed by a rainy Tuesday and such was the case this past week for our paddle at Waller Mill Reservoir in Williamsburg. This was our first paddle of the season and we were greeted with mild temperatures and overcast skies. Arriving at the Park this morning were: Bill B, Mark C, Mark and Jean B, Vic and Margaret P, Ron and Sue, Ellis and Marti, Curt and Carol, Barry and Judy, John F, Bruce D, Bob A, Bob M, Tricia, Karen, Susan, Don, Buck, Fran, Jack and Phyllis. Bill blew the call to arms with his oil funnel horn-with possibly a little less oomph than usual. We thought because it just didn't have the rich sound of his usual conch shell call but we were soon to find out that was not the case. We had our safety talk and headed for the water! 25 boats take a long time to launch and we were nearly all in when a splash alerted us that someone had tipped over! Bill wasn't feeling well and in a weak moment had unwittingly leaned too far over and unsuccessfully challenged gravity. Canoe and kayak came to his rescue and quickly escorted him back to the dock. After changing into dry clothes he felt better but not good so Don and Susan drove him to the hospital to get checked out. The rest of us continued the paddle exploring all the nooks and crannies of the south part of the reservoir eagerly hoping to spot the elusive 14 foot python. We didn't see any serpents but dozens of turtles and birds: kingfisher, heron and bald eagles! Noon came pretty fast and we hastened back to our starting point to eat our lunches. Ellis and Marti relieved Don and Susan at the hospital. They would drive Bill's truck and kayak back to Franklin that night. After lunch, some headed home while the rest of us continued our paddle on the north part of the reservoir. Overcast skies gave way to bright sun and the day warmed. We looked for fossils along the shore and more turtles. But no python.

Word came that Bill had a urinary tract infection and would spend a couple days in the hospital before heading home to Franklin with a suitcase full of Cipro on Thursday. Sadly, his beloved Fuji camera did not survive. But, he did get a brand new puppy that he named "Fuji".

All in all, a happy ending for another day with the Tuesday Group!